In September of last year a semi‑tractor‑trailer struck overhead communication lines in Tulsa, causing a sudden power surge that damaged appliances and lighting in several homes. Residents who suffered losses are still seeking answers and compensation from the utility provider, the trucking company, and the insurers involved.
What happened
According to Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), the outage resulted from a tractor‑trailer colliding with the pole that carries both Cox Communications (now Spectrum) and AT&T lines. The impact knocked out equipment on the pole, triggering a surge that destroyed items such as microwaves, coffee pots, refrigerators, and bedside lamps.
Homeowner impact
Les Callahan, one of the affected homeowners, described the damage in detail: “It destroyed the microwave, it destroyed the coffee pot, I like the old coffee pot better, and the refrigerator. Reading lamp over my wife’s headboard, transformer for track lights I had in my office.” Callahan estimates his repair costs at roughly $5,000. Three neighboring residents reported similar losses, with damage totals ranging from $2,700 to $5,000 each.
Attempts to file claims
Since the incident, residents have filed claims with multiple parties. The trucking company’s insurance provider denied all claims, stating no liability. PSO clarified that both Cox (now Spectrum) and AT&T have lines on the affected pole. Spectrum claims its line was the higher‑voltage line, while AT&T says it has not received any damage claims and advises claimants to contact the trucking company directly.
Alan Finch, another affected resident, explained the frustrating process: “We filed with IAT, they denied it in full. We filed with Spectrum/Cox, they denied it. And now we’ve filed with AT&T. It’s under investigation.” Finch added that the investigation appears to be dragging on with little progress.
Community response
Undeterred, residents are organizing a door‑to‑door canvass of the affected neighborhood to document the full extent of the damage. Finch said, “We’ll go door to door to the affected area; I have the map of the area that was affected by the outage.” The effort aims to create a comprehensive record that could strengthen any future legal or regulatory action.
What’s next
While the utility companies have offered limited explanations, no definitive resolution has been reached. Residents hope that continued documentation and collective pressure will prompt either a settlement from the trucking company’s insurer or a clearer responsibility assignment from the utility providers.
For homeowners still dealing with unrepaired damage, the advice is to keep detailed records of all losses, maintain copies of claim filings, and stay in communication with both the utility companies and the insurance adjusters. Community volunteers are also offering assistance in gathering evidence and sharing updates through local neighborhood groups.
Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
